UK government and horse owners preparing for potential AHS outbreak

The UK government and equestrian industry are preparing for a potential African horse sickness (AHS) outbreak. On May 14, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) held a session on current contingency plans for an outbreak, in the UK or a neighbouring country, gathering thoughts from equestrian industry representatives. The Defra control strategy aims to identify promptly suspect AHS cases and the sources of infection, minimising the spread of the disease. Measures include visits to premises by vets, testing, imposing restriction movement zones, and protecting horses from midges, the main vector of the disease. Helen Roberts, policy lead for non-livestock diseases, risk, and science at Defra, said that action will be taken if there is an outbreak in continental Europe close enough to put the country at risk. She also stressed that alertness and quick action are key. On their part, equestrian industry representatives emphasised the importance of consistent messaging to the public. They also expressed concern about the risk for semi-feral ponies living in remote places like Dartmoor and the challenges of engaging their owners.